Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is the airline pilot and safety expert who gained worldwide attention when he landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River on January 15. His autobiography, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, was released in October. He shares his travel highlights and tips with USA TODAY.

Q: Where have you been recently and what did you like about it?

A: My family and I recently traveled to France. I've been there once before but this was my first time seeing the south of France. Just as in many countries, there are regional differences, and one of the things that was interesting about southern France was noting the differences in culture, food and architecture that are influenced by the proximity to Italy. This area is imbued with much history and one thing that I found particularly interesting is that over the centuries the political border between France and Italy has shifted so that many towns in the south of France that were once on the border have the classic stone walls and fortifications of that era. I greatly enjoyed the outdoor dining culture. It is obvious that many people who live there do not spend their evenings in front of the television, but instead spend time with family and friends, making an evening of it with good food and good conversation. When we were in Paris, I never saw anyone walking down the street carrying a disposable cup of coffee. To drink coffee, they would sit in a café and enjoy themselves.

Q: What's the best place you've ever visited?

A: Vancouver, British Columbia (because of) its combination of cosmopolitan charm and genteel civility, its physical beauty, the harbor and the nearby mountains, its large public parks and gardens, the wonderful and varied cuisine of its restaurants, and the warmth and friendliness of its people. Unfortunately, I haven't flown there for work, but it's been a place that we have gone on vacation and haven't seen often enough. We look forward to future visits because it's such a beautiful and special place.

A: I think I'm lucky because almost everywhere I go I find something interesting, surprising and unexpected. I don't want to pick just one location. But since I must — while my family now makes its home in California, I was born and raised in Texas ... On my book tour, I visited Austin for the first time in quite a while. This capital city is beautiful and lively with interesting architecture, a vibrant music scene and great food. I saw some old friends and made some new ones. The people in Austin are outgoing and friendly. Austin is a place of old traditions that gives a warm Texas welcome to its visitors.

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot?

A: My family and I keep returning to Lake Tahoe. We love it year-round. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet and our kids learned to ski there. We have spent many happy hours in the mountains and near the lake. Our hearts are there.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: While most people think of Lake Tahoe as a place to visit in the winter, Tahoe is also great in the summer. My family has found that if you go before August, it's not as crowded. There are miles and miles of scenic hiking trails that offer incredible vistas and are a source of inspiration.

To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.